Bicycle-frame



(No Model.)

S. B. HILL.

BIGYOLE FRAME.

Patented Nov, 23, 1.897., 7

Witneaaw TNITED STATES PATENT 'rrIcE.

SYLVESTER B. HILL, OF OHICOPEE, MASSACHUSETTS.

BlCYCLE-FRAM E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 594,136, dated November23, 1897. Application filed January 11, 1897. Serial No- 618,786. (Nomodel.)

To aZZ whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, SYLvEsTER B. HILL, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing in Chicopee, in the county of Hampden and State ofMassachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Bicycle-Frames, of which the following is a specification, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings and letters of reference marked thereon.

In the drawings like letters of reference indicate like parts.

Figure 1 is a side View of a complete wheel illustrating my invention,and Fig. 2 is a like view of a frame embodying a modification oraddition to the same.

In detail, a indicates the head; I), the rear main bar; 0, the top bar;(1, the rear top braces; e, the lower main bar; f, a strengthening-bar;g, the lower rear bars, and h, t', j, 717, Z, and m brackets. V

The construction of my improved frame will be'readily understood onreference to the drawings, wherein I show a frame having the head, afront bar and main rear bar b arranged substantially parallel to eachother, and the top and bottom bars 0 and e also substantially parallelto each other. The upper and lower rear bars or braces 01 and 9 may beof the usual form of construction. The strengthening-brace f extendsfrom the crankbracket to a bracket h, mounted approximately midwaybetween the ends of the bar c. This construction leaves a large areabetween the bars a, b, c, and e unobstructed and of approximatelyrectangular shape in vertical plane, wherein a luggage-carrier of largeca pacity and rectangular form may be carried and supported. Aluggage-carrier of rectangular form can be placed in the forward spaceof an ordinary diamond-type frame; but it cannot be conveniently heldimmovable therein, for while the front lower corner of such rectangularcarrier will be in juxtaposition to the forward end of the lower bar ofsuch a frame-the rear lower end of such a carrier will be at aconsiderable distance therefrom. Thus it cannot be conveniently securedthereto but the present form of frame permits a rectangular carrier tobe placed in the space between the horizontal and upright parallel bars,so as to be firmly secured to both of the horizontal bars. A furtheradvantage is that the present form of frame is very useful for amilitary bicycle, for the luggage-bar e is so situated and directed thata weapon can be secured thereto so as to extend, if necessary, over thefront Wheel and be entirely out of the way when the bicycle is beingridden, but in a position to be quickly seized when a stoppage is made.For both of these reasons the form of frame herein described isparticularly valuable. of frame enables me to produce a stronger framethan is produced by the diamond type of frame, while the material is soplaced and arranged that great strength is had at the places subjectedto the greatest strain.

In the ordinary diamond-type frame it is found in cases of collisionthat there is a tendency of the lower front bar of the framecorresponding to the bar e in the frame which I have herewith disclosedto bend upward, and it is this element of weakness in the ordinarydiamond type of bicycle-frame that it is one of the objects of myinvention to remove. The weakest part of a bar subjected to a bendingaction is the middle point, and, as shown in the drawings, I provide abrace to the bar e midway thereof, said brace extending from the bracket7;, containing the crank-axle. Furthermore the bar 6 is connectedapproximately to the middle point of the main post I). Thus the weakestpoints of the two bars 6 and b are both strengthened by braces fromother points. VVhileastraight brace or barf will serve to give therequisite strength at this point of the structure, thus accomplishingthe object of my invention in this respect, I prefer to employ a bracecurved forwardly, shown, thus giving to the frame greater elasticity andat the same time the requisite strength. It will be seen that a bracecurved oppositely to the direction shown in the drawings will accomplishthe desired object, but I prefer to curve this brace in the directionshown in the drawings.

To still further strengthen the frame, in some instances I employsupplementary rear braces-n, extending from the bar I) and attached toit between its ends, preferably a short distance above the center,downwardly Moreover, this construction to the lower rear bars, andattached to them between their ends and, by preference, about midway.

I prefer to unite the bars or braces by the employment of brackets inthe common manner.

Having therefore described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a bicycle-frame, the combination of the front and rear bars a andb, the upper bar 0, the lower bar e extending from the lower end of thefront bar a to substantially the middle point of the rear bar I), andthe barf extending from the lower end of the bar I) to substantially themiddle point of the bar 6, said bars having suitable connections attheir points of juncture.

2. In a bicycle-frame, the combination of the front and rear bars a andb, the upper bar a, the lower bar e extending from the lower end of thefront bar 0 to substantially the middle point of the rear bar I), thebar f extending from The lower end of the bar b to substantially themiddle point of the bar e, said bars having suitable connections attheir points of junction, the rear top braces (1 extending from the topof the bar b to the shaft of the rear wheel, the lower rear bars gextending from the crank-axle back to said shaft, and the rear braces atextending from the junction of the bars 6 and b to substan- 1 tially themiddle point of the rear braces g.

3. In a bicycle-frame, the combination of the front and rear parallelbars a, b, the up per and lower parallel horizontal bars 0, e, the

four forming a-parallelogram in which a rectangular luggage-carrier canbe snugly carried and efiectively secured, and a brace extending fromthe lower bar (2 to a point on the bar 17 outside said space,substantially as described.

4. In a bicycle-frame, the combination of

